1. Nonverbal communication
Chapter 4
Nonverbal communication

2. objectives Distinguish between verbal and nonverbal communication
Use body language to reinforce your verbal message
Recognize when someone is not telling the truth
Explain how the same gesture can have different meanings in different cultures

3. introduction What is a nonverbal message?
How much of our communication is nonverbal?

4. Body basics Different cultures have different understandings
Can be helpful when sending messages

5. Body Language Also called the silent language
DEF: way we use our bodies to send messages
Body language always wins over verbal communication

6. Body language Why so important? People remember what they see
Helps us recognize the truth

7. Body language
Often, complicated feelings spill out in the form of body language
“No mortal can keep a secret. If his lips are silent, he chatters with his fingertips”- Sigmund Freud
Facial expressions a leakage of feelings
Body language is also diverse

8. Reading body language
Must be careful on how you interpret body language
Positive Body Language:
Relaxed posture
Good eye contact
Nodding agreement
Smiling at humor
Leaning closer

9. Reading body language Negative Body Language: Body tension Arms folded
Speaking hand to mouth
Fidgeting
Yawning

10. Using body language effectively
Change your body language, feelings will change as well
Can look at feel better by using more positive body language
Body language is contagious

11. Interpreting nonverbal messages
People express and interpret nonverbal messages differently
May sometimes put on a false front
We have learned to behave and hide our true feelings
Reading the true meaning of nonverbal messages
Don’t just look- observe
Be alert for variations of the norm
Remember that one signal alone may mean nothing, what you are looking for are clusters of signals

12. Facial expressions
Pay a great deal of attention to other people’s faces
Example: babies
Six emotions are the most popular
Surprise
Fear
Anger
Disgust
Happiness
Sadness

13. Facial expressions No single area of the face best reveals emotions
Certain features are important to certain emotions
Disgust: nose cheek mouth
Fear: eyes and eyelids
Sadness: brows and forehead
Happiness: cheeks and mouth

14. Tone of voice Tone can offer a valuable clue into a speaker’s feelings
Pitch, pauses, and rhythm important
What meanings can the word “oh” have?
Rate of speech can tell us about the speaker’s feelings

15. How to tell when someone is lying
Control some parts of our bodies better than others
Easiest parts to control are the ones we are most aware of
Like smiles and frowns
General body postures can be revealing
Desmond Morris Study
Decreased hand activity
Increased face touching
Stiff and rigid posture
Increased body shifting

16. Multicultural messages
Body language is not universal
Examples:
Thumbs up
Hug

17. Cultural differences We expect to communicate face to face better
But with cultural differences, nonverbal is not always better

18. Gestures around the world
Why do humans use the same gestures?
Examples:
Nodding
Tapping your head with forefinger
Scratching your head

19. Gestures around the world
Signs of greeting
Handshakes
Gentle, firm, Texan
Kisses
Close friendships
Bows
Many Asian countries

20. Touching customs Touching is a language of physical intimacy
Can be the most powerful of communication channels
Affects sexes differently
Women respond more positively
Men respond negatively

21. Watching my space All like a bubble of personal space
Represents our personal territory
Americans- about 2 feet
Latin Americans and Middle Easterners- much closer
Types of space:
Intimate
Personal
Social
Public